02/17/2026
[ message from our founder ]
Jesse Jackson (R.I.P.) carried a spirit remarkably aligned with Dr. King’s. Both men championed equality, peace, and justice for their own communities, yet their vision stretched far beyond any single group. They believed deeply in the greater human dream — that every tribe’s destiny is intertwined, and that our progress is strongest when we rise together in unity.
I celebrate activists who stand up for the dignity and rights of their own people, and I especially honor those who extend that courage to uplift every branch of the human family. It remains inspiring that in 1984, Jesse Jackson stepped boldly onto the national stage, becoming the second Black American — after Shirley Chisholm — to mount a nationwide campaign for President of the United States. His groundbreaking “Rainbow Coalition” brought together a beautifully diverse movement of marginalized voters: Black, Hispanic, Native American, Asian, poor, and rural Americans. He stood tall for our Global Family, echoing the same expansive love and justice that Dr. King modeled. Jackson’s radiant rainbow movement championed social justice, economic fairness, human rights, peace, and nonviolent change for everyone -- not only those of his own color.
I’ve been blessed to meet many extraordinary leaders from the civil and voting rights era — individuals whose courage shaped the moral landscape of our nation. Icons like Queen Coretta Scott King, Yolanda King (we share the same Nov. 17 birthday), Martin Luther King III, Dr. Christine 'Queen' King Farris, Isaac Newton Farris Jr., Rev. C.T. Vivian, Rev. Ralph David Abernathy Sr., Julian Bond, Rev. James Edward Orange, Congressman John Lewis, Ellie Jewel Davis Dahmer, Dr. Bernard Lafayette Jr., Mayor Shirley Franklin, Andrew Jackson Young, and others. Each encounter was a memorable gift.
Most memorable of all was meeting the incomparable Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Lowery — the “Dean” of the Civil Rights Movement. His wisdom, humor, and moral clarity were unmatched. Dr. Lowery believed so deeply in the mission we have for ATLANTA: City of Peace™ (ACP) that he graciously accepted our invitation to serve as a key official co‑founder more than twenty years ago -- before we were incorporated. His early belief in, and support of ACP remains one of the great honors of my life.
~ John R. Naugle
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